WASHINGTON, D.C. — Nearly four years ago, two relatively unknown teenagers made their mark in the US Open final. Now, Emma Raducanu and Leylah Fernandez, both just 22 and experiencing a resurgence, could face each other again in the Mubadala Citi DC Open championship.
Washington, D.C.: Draws | Scores | Order of play
Before that possibility unfolds, both players must navigate Saturday’s semifinals, where Raducanu goes up against Anna Kalinskaya and Fernandez faces No. 3 seed Elena Rybakina. Here’s what to watch for:
No. 3 Elena Rybakina vs Leylah Fernandez (not before 2:30 p.m. ET)
Head-to-head: 1-1, with Fernandez claiming their last meeting in Cincinnati last year and Rybakina securing victory earlier in a Doha quarterfinal.
The case for Rybakina: This marks her inaugural visit to D.C., and she’s capitalizing on the opportunity. Her convincing 6-3, 6-3 win over No. 5 seed Magdalena Frech showcased her skills. Rybakina remains undefeated against Frech with a 3-0 record and has yet to drop a set this tournament. She reached her third semifinal of the season and boasts a powerful serve, evident in her seven aces versus Frech.
The case for Fernandez: Demonstrating remarkable resilience, she triumphed over Taylor Townsend with a score of 6-4, 7-6 (4). Despite the heat, Fernandez managed to overcome 18 out of 23 break points. This will be her first tour-level semifinal since last fall, and notable wins here include defeating world No. 4 Jessica Pegula and two players with five titles this year.
Anna Kalinskaya vs Emma Raducanu (to follow)
Head-to-head: 0-0
The case for Raducanu: Confident in her game, a win for Raducanu on Saturday would land her in the PIF WTA Rankings Top 30 for the first time in three years. She recently showcased her talent with a 6-4, 7-5 victory over Maria Sakkari, ending the match with a five-game comeback. Raducanu has not lost a set thus far, facing tough opponents along the way.
The case for Kalinskaya: This venue seems to suit her well, as she made the semifinals here six years ago. Her recent win over No. 19 Tauson was her 20th victory against a Top 10 player, highlighting her growing confidence. Like Raducanu, Kalinskaya is unseeded and has also not dropped a set, having eliminated two seeded players so far in the tournament.
